For many families, a holiday would not feel complete without taking the family pet along too. Spain has become increasingly welcoming to pet owners, with more dog-friendly beaches, accommodation and outdoor spaces than ever before.
But while we often spend time planning where our pets will sleep or where they can exercise, it is easy to overlook the journey itself.
Travelling safely with animals is every bit as important as travelling safely with people.
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Your Pet Is Also a Passenger
Dogs rarely sit still.
They become excited when they recognise familiar places, curious about passing traffic and eager to greet new surroundings. While these behaviours are perfectly natural, they can quickly become dangerous inside a moving vehicle.
An unrestrained animal can distract the driver, interfere with the controls or suddenly move across the vehicle without warning.
In an emergency stop, even a relatively small dog can become a projectile, placing both the animal and the vehicle occupants at risk.
This is why Spanish traffic regulations require animals to be transported in a way that prevents them interfering with the driver.
Every Journey Deserves Proper Restraint
There is no single solution suitable for every pet.
Smaller animals may travel safely inside a properly secured carrier.
Larger dogs are often best protected using a safety harness attached to the vehicle’s seatbelt system or by travelling behind an approved load guard in estate cars or SUVs.
Whatever method you choose, the objective remains the same.
The animal should be protected while also preventing movement that could distract the driver.
Allowing a dog to sit on a passenger’s lap or move freely around the cabin may appear affectionate, but it dramatically increases the risk for everyone inside the vehicle.
Summer Presents Additional Challenges
Travelling during the warmer months requires additional planning.
Unlike people, dogs regulate body temperature differently. They do not sweat across most of their bodies and rely primarily on panting to cool themselves.
Inside a parked vehicle, temperatures rise alarmingly quickly.
Even on days that feel pleasant outside, the interior of a vehicle can become life-threatening within minutes. Opening the windows slightly offers very little protection against rising temperatures.
This is why road safety organisations continue repeating one simple message.
Never leave a pet alone inside a parked vehicle.
Not while paying for fuel.
Not while buying an ice cream.
Not “just for a couple of minutes.”
Plan Regular Breaks
Long journeys are tiring for animals as well as people.
Plan regular stops where your pet can safely leave the vehicle, drink fresh water and stretch its legs.
Always use a lead when stopping near roads or unfamiliar surroundings. Even the calmest dog can react unpredictably when faced with new smells, heavy traffic or unfamiliar noises.
Choosing quieter rest areas rather than busy service stations may also help reduce stress for more nervous animals.
Hydration Matters
Fresh drinking water should always be available during longer journeys.
Consider carrying a collapsible travel bowl together with more water than you think you might need.
If travelling through inland Spain during periods of extreme heat, remember that temperatures may exceed those experienced at your destination.
Planning ahead helps avoid unnecessary discomfort for both you and your pet.
Packing for Your Companion
Most people remember to pack towels, toys and food.
Equally useful are:
- vaccination records if required
- any medication
- waste bags
- favourite blankets
- identification tags
- a recent photograph
The photograph may seem unusual, but should your pet become lost in unfamiliar surroundings, having a recent image available can prove extremely valuable.
A Calm Journey Creates a Better Holiday
Animals often respond to the mood of their owners.
Drivers who remain calm, avoid rushing and allow plenty of time generally create a more relaxed environment for everyone travelling in the vehicle.
If your dog rarely travels by car, consider taking several shorter journeys before your holiday. Familiarity can help reduce anxiety and make longer trips considerably easier.
Every Passenger Matters
Road safety is often discussed in terms of drivers and vehicles.
Yet every passenger deserves protection, whether they walk on two legs or four.
Planning ahead, using appropriate restraints and understanding the effects of summer temperatures allows everyone to arrive comfortably and safely.
Because holidays should begin with happy memories.
Not preventable emergencies.
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